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WSU veterinary dean takes over as provost following scuffle

PULLMAN, WASH. — A bit of pushing and shoving between two college administrators in September opened a new door for Dr. Warwick Bayley, former dean of Washington State University's (WSU) College of Veterinary Medicine.

Bayley officially announced his resignation as dean Oct. 31 after previously informing the veterinary community at the school that he had been asked to take over the role of university provost full time.

"Initally, I had hoped to remain as dean, with many of the school's responsibilities being handled on a temporary basis by other members of the CVM leadership," Bayley wrote to his veterinary colleagues. "After several weeks on the job, it has become increasingly apparent that it would not be fair to either you or the College of Veterinary Medicine, or to the university, for this arrangement to continue."

Bayley temporarily assumed the role of provost in late September after newly hired Provost Steve Hoch was placed on administrative leave following a hallway scuffle with the finance director.

"I was actually here the morning the president walked in, and I knew there was some kind of rift going on there with the provost," says Charlie Powell, WSU veterinary college spokesman. "There was a physical altercation and a bunch of other stuff going on and a difference of philosophy."

But when Hoch's temporary leave of absence turned permanent, Bayley, who became WSU's dean in 2001, agreed to take on the job of provost for at least two years.

Dr. Brian Slinker has taken over Bayley's duties as interim dean, and a committee is being formed to search for a new, permanent veterinary school dean.